Laid back and larruping

Michael Thomson still packs ’em in at his Cultural Districtrestaurant years after a lot of restaurants vanish. His upscale comfort food, or “contemporary ranch cuisine”, in a laid back setting, pleases diners for lunch, dinner, or evenings on the patio. Michael has helped many a young chef learn the ropes through the years. That’s why his protégées affectionately refer to him as the “Godfather of Fort Worth chefs”. See Michael in action in our latest CBS video for “DINE! with Jim White”, and be sure to stop by sometime if you haven’t been. Heads up: TCU Horn Frogsspoken here. Show up bedecked in purple and you might even get a better table! Regardless, you’re sure to find good ol’ fashioned Texas hospitality.

Eat. Drink. Change lives.

Discover the great Cafe Momentum story as Executive Chef and co-founder Chad Houser takes you behind the scenes of the popular downtown Dallas restaurant that’s giving young people a second chance on this week’s “DINE! with Jim White” feature.

Welcome to foodie Paradise!

Our weekly dining update for DFW Restaurant Week “365” focuses on The Market at Dallas Farmers Market, along with next door neighbor Mudhen Meats and Greens. Check out the video and fresh updates every week on the new site. Be sure to head for The Market and enjoy the new Dallas Farmers Market in downtown Dallas if you haven’t been. It great for grab and go, grazing or a sit down meal. Bon appetit!

Imagine the intimate Arts District restaurant as Chef Pyles guides

Flora Street Cafe, opening May 15th in the Dallas Arts District, is the culmination of a lifetime by Stephan Pyles devoted to culinary and artistic excellence. His eyes twinkle and enthusiasm reverberates in his voice as he walks us through his new homage to “elevated Texas Cooking” in Hall Arts Plaza. This quick “Have iPhone will travel” tour precedes our full conversation with Stephan on the March 14th episode of “Wining and Dining with Jim White”, when he shares stories about his love of travel, Southwest cuisine, and a life well lived. Stephan is one of the world’s most innovative chefs and he’ll tell you he’s having a helluva good time! You can subscribe to our Podcast devoted to introducing you to great chefs and winemakers at iTunes.

A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty “Hi Yo Silver!” he’s not! But, “Savor Dallas Guy” (AKA Jim White) is on the case again to bring you the latest updates on Savor Dallas 2013, March 14th through 17th. Click on the video for your personal invitation to a “Sneak Preview of Trinity Groves”. This is going to be Dallas’ hottest restaurant destination by the summer. You’ll get a chance to try the restaurants before they’re even open! And, because Savor Dallas Guy is really Irish at heart, he wants to invite you to a cool, upscale St. Patty’s Day Celebration at the beautiful Dallas Arboretum. Get details in the video. If you’re too busy to watch the :60 second video, just click here and get tickets to both events. Cheers!

Ride in for some larapin’ grub

Stephan Pyles has the touch. And, once again, Dallas-Fort Worth diners are the lucky recipients of a new restaurant concept from him. Well, actually it’s an old concept. This one dates back to his memories of growing up in Big Spring, Texas, and his family’s Phillips 66 truck stop. Stephan says his new Stampede 66is his version of a truck stop he would have opened as a kid, if he had taste, control and money. The downtown Dallas destination is open for lunch and dinner. Get in soon, podner, and fill ‘er up! Check out the traveling iPhone video from chow wrangler Jim White, ya’ll!

Mexico City meets Sushi town at Monica’s hip, new place

Monica Green has created the perfect restaurant for Oak Lawn–it’s got a little bit of everything. Mexico City “street food” and upscale cuisine (a Monica trademark), plus great fresh sushi (see the video, she explains), a late night hang-out, and a cool, new setting. Welcome to the neighborhood Monica! Take a tour as as I fire-up the handy iPhone once again to take us on a video tour of Monica’s Nueva Cocina.

Bubbles and breasts. Now, that’s what I’m talkin’ about!

Max’s Wine Dive roared to town just a little over a week ago. Already it’s become a foodie and wine lover destination. No wonder. You’d expect a place whose mantra is “Fried chicken and Champagne…Why the Hell Not!” to be off to a good start in Dallas. Comfort food from former Craft Dallas Chef Patrick Russell and a few more refined items headline a fairly simple “let’s get it right before we expand” menu. It’s paired up with an eclectic wine list and priced retail, which usually means it’s just double the wholesale price instead of triple like most restaurants. We’ll take any savings in this economy. More good news: Dallas-Fort Worth beloved restaurateur and wine expert Paul Pinnell is the GM. That means good service to go along with the cool, casual atmosphere. Paul has been in New Orleans for the past year and is delighted to be back in Dallas. He was sorely missed on the dining scene. The “Dive”, by way of Austin, Houston and San Antonio occupies the former Border’s Books space across from West Village at Lemmon Avenue and McKinney. Dinner is served nightly. Cool Idea: They do a reverse happy hour the last two hours they’re open each night featuring the same prices available in the early evening happy hours. Brunch is also served, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Valet parking is available for $5, and you’ll find free self parking in the adjacent garage. Check out their website for menus and more www.maxswinedive.com/dallas

Like this:

Meet the Man Behind the new Total Wine in Dallas

David Trone loves the wine business. He and his brother Robert started Total Wine 21 years ago. They’ve grown to 80 stores and just opened their newest location in Dallas, near NorthPark. Find out what the man behind the largest independent wine, beer and spirits retailer in America thinks about his customers and his staffers as Jim White takes his roving iPhone on location once again. Total Wine is already planning other Texas locations including a new Fort Worth store opening in October, and a San Antonio location next spring. Stay tuned. There always seems to be “more” in store from Total Wine and More.